Drill Team Performs at Historic Coliseum in Fort Worth
Our very own drill team is rapidly approaching new heights beyond their local fame & glory!
Our State Championship Drill Team, the Thundering Hooves, performed Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st at the World Famous Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
The team performed on March 15th, at the Katy Equine Center at an AQHA Point Show. After witnessing their breath-taking and state award winning routine entitled "Phantom of the Opera", the President of TQHYA (Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association), Joe Pluhar, quickly approached the team and invited them to perform at the TQHA Texas Classic in Fort Worth. The TQHA is the largest state affiliate of the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association). And, the Texas Classic is one of the top five AQHA approved horseshows in the world and the largest AQHA show in Texas.
On Saturday, May 30th, the team performed in the John Justin Arena during a break in the competition. The John Justin Arena is named in memory of John Justin, founder of Justin Boots and organizer of the Justin Sport’s Medicine Team.
After witnessing their performance, the TQHA Tri-Show Committee, approached Drill Master, Ray Smithey, and invited the team to stay an extra night and perform the next morning in the Will Rogers Coliseum. The Will Rogers Coliseum, named in memory of famed cowboy & folklore hero Will Rogers, is the first domed structure of its kind in the world and the home of one of America's most famous rodeo competitions — the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
A member of the Tri-Show Committee addressed the team and was quoted as saying "Not very many people get to perform in that arena, but you girls deserve to. It’s reserved for the "Champion of Champions" and that’s where you belong!" Overall, the team performed in two out of the three large arenas in use during this show.
While in Fort Worth, members of the team visited other famous sites such as the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the historical Stock Yards district.
The team made such a wonderful impression on the TQHA staff, that they have been invited to perform again in the future.
For more information on the TQHA, please visit www.tqha.com.
For more information on the Matagorda County 4H Mounted Drill Teams, please visit
www.man-net.org/orgs_clubs/DrillTeam.